When I began my counselling I was experiencing feelings of helplessness, I struggled to find a reason to get out of bed in the mornings, and some days I wouldn’t even open my curtains. I just wanted to hide away and stay in bed where I felt safe. It felt as if everything was going wrong and no matter how hard I tried, things just weren’t getting any better.
Before I met my counsellor I was apprehensive about telling a complete stranger about all the difficulties I was experiencing and was not sure how talking would help me.
The first few sessions were filled with tears and I think I even went through an entire box of tissues at one point! But my counsellor was amazing, so kind and patient and she listened with no judgement. She made me feel safe to talk about anything and everything and very quickly I began to look forward to my weekly sessions.
My progress did not happen immediately. I had setbacks, progress, setbacks, then more progress. Initially I was unsure whether anything was getting better but 6-7 sessions in I began to notice a shift in my thinking. She didn’t tell me how to change, or what to change, but guided me to be able to discover my solutions myself.
As I near the end of my allocated sessions, I look back to where I’ve come from and I feel like a different person. I’m happier, more confident, stronger, able to make decisions, and able to stand up for myself. I can now say no when I need to and am less worried about the opinions of others.
I also feel that I now have the tools to be able to continue my journey of self improvement by myself. I now believe in myself!
I don’t have enough words to express the thanks I have for my counsellor. Her support, guidance and understanding has really changed my life. It really is a centre of change!
Paulette Shelley Counselling 